Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions of extreme violence, which are included as key details in the criminal cases against Christian Torruellas and Andrea Martin. Resources for those impacted by sexual violence are available through the Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention at 603-352-3782 or toll-free at 1-888-511-6287. The N.H. Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence can be reached at 603-224-8893, with a 24-hour helpline at 1-866-644-3574.

KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Christian Torruellas and Andrea Martin face multiple charges, including kidnapping and human trafficking, after allegedly holding two women captive in a Keene home last October. One of the victims, 31-year-old Justina Steffy, died during the confinement, while the other survived and testified at a probable cause hearing Wednesday.

Authorities say the surviving woman initially stayed at the home voluntarily but was confined and abused after Torruellas and Martin accused her of theft. She was reportedly subjected to repeated assaults, locked in a dog crate, and forced to participate in Steffy’s confinement.

According to the woman, Martin instructed Steffy to participate in a shoplifting attempt at Market Basket days before her death. When the attempt failed, Martin allegedly blamed Steffy for drawing police attention.

According to investigators, Martin allegedly coerced the woman into administering a fatal dose of drugs to Steffy before disposing of her body in Warwick, Massachusetts.

Steffy had been reported missing in early October, prompting an investigation that later shifted to a suspicious death case after the surviving woman led police to the site where Steffy’s body was found. A Massachusetts medical examiner determined the cause of death as a combination of fentanyl and xylazine.

Authorities allege that multiple individuals frequented the Island Street home during the period of confinement, some of whom participated in the abuse. The woman testified that Martin and Torruellas abused and controlled her, forcing her to engage in sex acts to obtain drugs and money for them.

As of Wednesday, no additional charges had been filed against those individuals.

Torruellas has remained in custody since October on unrelated drug charges, while Martin was arrested last week. Defense attorneys argued that the surviving woman’s testimony was unreliable due to drug use, but prosecutors maintained her account was consistent and supported by surveillance footage, phone records, and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.

Judge Patrick Ryan denied a motion to dismiss the charges against Torruellas. Martin remains in preventative detention but may still be eligible for a bail hearing.